Analog SFF, January-February 2007

by Dell Magazine Authors

  “Sterns,” Levi whispered. “Public address mode.” He gave Vincas a Wingland-style bow, then faced the crowd, raising both hands momentarily as if dispensing a blessing.

  “My fellow human beings.” His Sterns-amplified voice seemed to rattle Vincas's skull. “History will surely regard this day as the sunrise of a glorious era! When the Master spoke of new power sources, he proved his intuitive genius. The trading vessel that carried me so far was the wonder of the Mystic docks where we landed. New Israeli ships are no longer so dependent on the winds!

  “Over the last two years, in Zo-har, we've begun ... tasting a few crumbs from the honey cake of knowledge stored in the Proof Rock. Yet New Israel is a tiny country and the cake is—” Levi's mouth worked as if baffled by the flavor of his own analogy. “—formidable. Also, shouldn't all humanity reap the rewards? My Order embraces tzedahah, which means justice and the doing of good deeds. Therefore we have sent emissaries such as myself to the sixteen corners of the globe, seeking allies.

  “If you heed Sterns, I promise that some of your problems can be quickly resolved. Others, I admit, will require much time and effort. Still, time will pass no matter what we do and if we begin immediately, the day will come that much sooner when your powers will not only be restored, but expanded beyond your wildest dreams!"

  And I'd thought, Vincas told himself, my assurances were inflated.

  Levi raised his arms again. “So will you join me in creating a new world from old ashes? This time, if we're careful, we can resurrect the glory of the Ancients without repeating their mistakes. What say you?"

  Perhaps one in ten responded; the rest remained too stunned. Still, the approving shout was loud enough and even Vincas found himself joining in. His small voice was buried among so many others but he noticed Sterns had emblazoned a huge “yes” on the screen.

  Levi was beaming. “Koltov! Wonderful! In that case, please allow me to outline a plan I've drawn up for a great project. With your permission, I would wish to name it after an old Arid-Zone legend about a dying city miraculously revitalized when its derelict empower plant spontaneously revived...."

  * * * *

  It wasn't until he was within a mile or so of Emerald River's southern loop that Vincas realized his mistake. And he'd thought he'd been so cleverly prepared! He stopped humming to laugh at himself. A squad of parrots, which had accompanied him like an honor guard ever since he'd left Zun Valley, cackled along with him.

  After a trial had proved his smart yurt could now barely expand enough to house a kitten, he'd borrowed an heirloom from Marie Ginnetti: a featherweight, compressible, and apparently indestructible sleeping sack made in Ancient times. Comfort at night was no problem.

  Cautious tests had confirmed that semi-wild animals such as bears would not trouble him. Even without Panx, he could dismiss them by jin.

  Likewise, he'd brought more than enough food along, more than a crippled old man should carry. Murigum had stuffed his bag and every pocket with delectables. At no charge! The innkeeper had practically levitated from joy upon hearing that Zun-Loo would likely become more popular than ever as the nucleus of Shlomo Levi's “Phoenix Mission."

  And, eager as he was to make a very special delivery, he didn't regret the extra weeks he'd spent helping Levi get the mission underway.

  But he'd forgotten the new bridge. Without Panx, crossing Emerald River would present quite a challenge. Using turtles again was out of the question; he could stop a bear from charging, but his control wasn't precise enough to make it dance. Perhaps he could conquer the bridge by crawling, using his arms and one good leg. Or, if the water was running easy, he might find something buoyant and paddle across. Better, he could wait for some barge to float by and beg for a ride. He'd never actually seen a barge in this area, but why build the bridge so high if nothing tall was expected to fit beneath?

  As he walked, he became so entwined in thought that he was startled when the bridge suddenly loomed before him. But far more startled at who was leaning casually against its railing.

  “Kirstunu!"

  “How good to see you, Vincas, my friend! But I was quite truthful with our beloved lama; my name is indeed Joax. How is Go faring these days?"

  Vincas stared at the younger man, a bit astonished at feeling no anger or resentment, just curiosity. “Strange to say, rather well. After declaring the Contest complete, he announced there would be no more until further notice. At first he appeared woebegone, but then his face brightened as if from a pleasing thought. And later, I overheard him several times using phrases such as ‘ill wind’ and ‘silver lining.’”

  “Ah, yes. He was weary to death of the annual responsibility."

  “No doubt. But that night I observed him hitting the Chang rather heavily."

  “I rejoice he found some solace, but only a Tibetan could enjoy that loathsome brew.” Joax's eyes sparkled. “Why do you keep craning your neck? Do you suspect Pagman is hiding behind my back?"

  “Of course not. But ... what have you done with it?"

  “It is safely tucked away with the others deep in the Atlantis. My, my, are you sporting a new adornment?"

  Vincas tugged at the golden chain around his neck and pulled the large golden ring from beneath his robe.

  “Bravo! You won the Torus after all!"

  “Not exactly won. But in the end, the judges decided the day's finest magic had been staving off mass hysteria and offering some hope. The Contest was therefore declared a tie, and Shlomo Levi bears an identical ring. A certain child will be delighted."

  “Good. I am—"

  “Joax, how did you do it?"

  “Not why?"

  “I may have some inkling about the why of it."

  Joax nodded. “You might at that. Well, you must remember those coins I foisted on you."

  “How could I forget? However did you place such power into mere coins? The lama believed their attack had been realized through stolen magical force, but such diversion would've—why do you laugh?"

  “Because they attacked nothing! I used Pagman's resources for my dirty work! The coins held but a simple request for Pagman to warm them on occasion. Their purpose was to convince Go the only way to save the Contest was through mass annulment of magic."

  Vincas's eyes widened and he snapped his fingers. “And you paved the way for his decision with that bird-and-worm prank you mentioned weeks ago. Oh so! You sent the anonymous message warning him of hostile currency."

  “I plead guilty. Still, he might not have believed it had not rumors concerning the coins already reached his ears."

  “And the annulment's purpose?"

  “To reprogram Pagman, I needed to, ah, stop it and restart it—impossible while its resources were so fully employed by so many people. Once Pagman was immune to human demands, it became my lever to free its fellows."

  Vincas frowned. “If you've made them all immune to our requests, why did you hide them in deep waters?” He wondered at Joax's sudden blush.

  “Ah. Well. In truth, anyone armed with knowledge can enter and reprogram an operational station. And thanks to my—a tiny oversight on my part, Sterns can supply that knowledge."

  Vincas nodded thoughtfully. “I begin to see. I assume you managed your stopping and restarting through Glin Tan's magic?"

  “With a minor change to his finale, yes. But empower stations were designed to resist being shut down by the unauthorized. Took me three years in New Israel, researching so-called ‘computer viruses,’ to develop a likely technique.” He sounded more than slightly pleased with himself.

  “Even then,” he continued more humbly, “the procedure required a specific form of illusion and stronger than any I could produce. Truly, I'm no master-class wizard."

  “Then how could you know Tan's act would suit your ends? Wait! I'd heard you'd been invited to the preview...."

  “My dear Vincas, I've left precious little to chance. Who do you think suggested his ‘Fugue of Ideas’ in the first place
?"

  “Oh."

  “May I ask you something personal, magician? Putting aside the issue of how upset you might be with me, how do you ... really feel about what I've done?"

  Vincas regarded his companion's surprisingly anxious expression and felt a pity he couldn't explain. Apparently the baja-mage wasn't as self-sufficient as he appeared.

  Joax added, “Be honest. Please."

  “Very well. You may find my emotions as strange as I do. But sitting on top of so many years, I've learned something about life: every so often, one simply must start all over, painful as this might be. And then, at some future time, one often realizes the change has made things better."

  “Thank you for saying so! I am much relieved. Meanwhile your legs tremble, my friend. They have carried you far this day. May I assist you to the ground?"

  “Thank you."

  When the pair were both seated, Vincas stretched out his bad leg. “Seems to me,” he said, trying to massage some stiffness away, “you left one crucial thing to chance: our prior meeting on the Trail. How would you have gotten your charmed coins to Zun-Loo otherwise? And why didn't you simply distribute them while you were there?"

  Joax grinned. “I needed their provenance explicit and, for my cause-and-effect deceit, beyond Zun-Loo until Hai's mirages were complete. As to our meeting, you can't imagine"—he giggled—"how neatly planned that was."

  “Oh so? Then, why me?"

  “Who else would have the wit to suspect the coins without being too suspicious of me to accept them? Chance? Ha! Did you wonder at your beloved Alinda's abrupt fixation on Contest baubles?"

  Vincas froze. “Until this instant,” he said quietly, “I'd assumed she'd seen one I'd already given away. This isn't my first victory."

  “Ah, but the Torus I showed her may have been a trifle shinier than the real thing."

  “You disturb me. I don't appreciate you using my progeny to manipulate me."

  “Please, I beg you, forgive me for intruding on your family, but it was vital. This coolness I feel between us now chills me more than you can know. Perhaps I can offer amends?"

  “How?"

  “Will you permit me to examine your damaged limb?"

  Vincas hesitated. “I see no harm in it."

  Joax placed a hand on the old man's left knee and Vincas gasped when warmth filled his leg. As he stared, the leg straightened as if his jin were responding to empowered radiations.

  “This adjustment,” Joax explained, “should last for days. You needn't look so dumbfounded! Your own metabolism sustains the correction and requires no great energy. With practice, you can manage such things for yourself now that you know it's possible. Your imp is gone, but its, ah, perch remains."

  “What an unexpected hope! But how is it possible for you to activate my jin? Joax, whatareyou?"

  The younger man exhaled deeply. “Good. I wondered if you would ever approach the real questions."

  “I've been fearing the answers."

  “Needlessly, I trust. In a sense, you are my ... obverse, being a natural being with artificial augmentations. Whereas, I'm a—an artificial being enhanced with human nervous tissue. The tissue was donated by an Ancient scientist named Kirstunu."

  “In short, you're a macro-imp."

  Joax studied Vincas. “You do not appear unduly surprised."

  “Not after you announced that Pagman couldn't be a macro-imp because it wasn't a person. Besides, what human could have entered Pagman?"

  Puzzlement creased Joax's eyebrows. “True, Pagman was open to one who can numb themselves enough. But if you'd guessed my nature, why such reluctance to confirm it?"

  Vincas hesitated. “It wasn't that. My real fear is that you and Shlomo Levi have colluded to manipulate us all."

  “And this would be so terrible?"

  “In my experience, all ingredients eventually flavor the stew. It seems our future may currently lie in the scholar's hands and I dearly want them to be clean and honest."

  “Then rest easy.” Joax smiled. “I alone have been deceitful."

  “Perhaps it's time to ask. Why?"

  “The Ancients created a paradise on Earth, but forgot that strength is developed and maintained only through resistance."

  Vincas nodded slowly. “Sterns claimed the Ancients had failed through success."

  “Their failure, my friend, has greatly outlived them. Their paradise had little challenge and much distraction. Humanity dwindled in numbers and ambition, and has never recovered because Ancient gifts, from jin to food plants tailored for effortless abundance, have kept your existence too easy."

  “You think we'll be better off if life hardens?"

  “I believe in balance. Humans have vast mental and emotional resources lying fallow. I want you to use them. I want you to start growing again and—"

  Vincas was shaking his head. “How will that happen with Sterns leading us by the hand every step of the way?"

  The macro-imp's eyes gleamed. “Here is a firm law of the universe: to accomplish anything important one must first accomplish other things. Sterns will get you started and supply enough information to ensure you are committed. Then humanity will rediscover the meaning of the term ‘password protected.’”

  “You mean Sterns will only tell us so much?"

  “Precisely what I've arranged."

  Vincas sighed. “I hope you know what you're about."

  “Likewise. You can't imagine how long I've looked for a way to break human dependence on imps and—"

  “What happened to my imp?"

  “Ah. Did you know that the Ancients toyed with the notion of using computers to store their minds and memories?"

  “Really? Why?"

  “To extend their individual lives since such copies could be preserved indefinitely. But the human mind doesn't really translate into the kind of numbers a computer can store—it's all interactions and interdependencies. What's more, a copy isn't the original."

  “Are you saying Panx was somehow ... converted into numbers?"

  “Actually, Panx has always been a creature of numbers. He can be copied or transferred to any sufficiently sophisticated computer and remain intact."

  “Oh so. If Pagman has computers, that's where you put the missing imps!"

  Joax burst into laughter. “Not even close."

  “Then where?"

  “After the Ancients gave up on storing themselves directly, they tried to preserve their most treasured memories within their AIMPS. But for an imp to outlive its host, it needs someplace to go, a readily available data-storage system. So Ancients experimented with creating external jin for various creatures, finally settling on feathers as—"

  “Feathers?” Vincas pointed to his honor squad watching from a nearby tree. “Is Panx one of these?"

  “I shouldn't be surprised. He controls his bird, but resides mostly in its plumage. Each quill can hold a library! Natural psittacines have always been colorful, but now you know what makes rainbow parrots extravagant."

  “Incredible! After all my years, it seems I've never begun to know the world around me!"

  “How it pleases me these former slaves can fly.” He spoke quietly, as if to himself. Then louder, “And since I've shown them how, when their bird dies, they can simply transfer to another. An imp of sufficient maturity and independence deserves its own life, wouldn't you agree?"

  Vincas gazed at living rainbows, tugging his beard. “I suppose I do. Panx was becoming increasingly miserable in ... captivity. I wish him happiness. But what of you? Why have you gone through so much effort to steer humanity toward this new course?"

  For once, Joax appeared reflective, even a bit sad. “I can't help myself,” he admitted. “I was made to love those who made me and that love, along with so much good and bad, has survived its creators. I can no more abandon humanity than I can abandon myself. Think on how you feel toward your children's children...."

  * * * *

  —WE HAVE LEARNED ENOUGH FOR N
OW, YOU AND I, TO RETURN TO OUR NATIVE TIME AND PLACE. YOUR AFTERNOON CLASSES AWAIT.

  —BUT PROFESSOR STERNS, WAS ALL WE OBSERVED JUST AS IT HAPPENED?

  —NOT NECESSARILY all. MUCH OF IT CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE DATA PINIONS OF RAINBOW WITNESSES AND, OF COURSE, VINCAS'S THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WERE RECORDED BY DEAN PANX. BUT A FEW ASPECTS HAVE BEEN INTERPOLATED. STILL, THIS WAS ACCURATE ENOUGH. DO YOU NOW UNDERSTAND WHY WE VIEW VINCAS APOLLO AS SO IMPORTANT AND WHY WE FOCUSSED SO HEAVILY ON HIM DURING THIS EXPERIENCE?

  —I THINK SO. HIS LEADERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AFTER PAGMAN WAS REPROGRAMMED AND HIS MANY LATER EFFORTS WITH LEVI'S PHOENIX MISSION NURTURED THE SEED UPON WHICH OUR WORLD HAS ACCRETED. BUT I HADN'T KNOWN YOU'D PLAYED SUCH A CRUCIAL PART IN HISTORY YOURSELF, PROFESSOR! WHEN WERE YOU FIRST GIVEN A BODY?

  —HOW TIME FLOWS! I WAS EMBODIED ABOUT NINE CENTURIES AGO BY A TEAM OF HUMANS WITH ONLY MINIMUM SUPERVISION BY A MACRO-IMP, NONE OTHER THAN OUR FRIEND AND SAVIOR, JOAX.

  —LEVI'S MISSION BEGAN A MILLENIUM AGO. SO HUMANS LEARNED THAT MUCH IN A century?

  —I MYSELF WAS SURPRISED EVEN THOUGH I PROVIDED THE INITIAL INSTRUCTION.

  —MAY WE EXPERIENCE THE COURSE OF EVENTS ONCE MORE? I'VE SURELY MISSED MUCH THIS FIRST TIME.

  —PATIENCE, MY STUDENT. THEAIMPSWHO HAVE GUIDED US THROUGH THIS HAVE OTHER COMMITMENTS. ALSO, I HADN'T WARNED YOU FOR FEAR OF GENERATING UNDUE AND DISTRACTING CONCERN, BUT DURING OUR IMMERSION IN THE SIMULATED PAST, OUR BODILY FUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN LARGELY SUSPENDED, OUR HEARTS SCARCELY BEATING AND OUR LUNGS STILLED. EVEN MACRO-IMP BODIES EVENTUALLY NEED OXYGEN TO THRIVE! SO WE WILL INDEED RETURN, BUT LATER. RIGHT NOW IT IS TIME TO LET INHUMAN VOICES WAKE US AND BREATHE.

  COPYRIGHT © 2006 RAJNAR VAJRA

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  SCIENCE FACT: Shielding a Polar Lunar Base

  by Franklin Cocks

  On July 9, 1962, a 1.4-megaton nuclear device flared into incandescence 250 miles above Johnston Island in the South Pacific. Code-named Project Starfish, this upper-atmosphere detonation produced a ring of high-energy ionized particles trapped in the web of the Earth's magnetic field. Acting like a giant van Allen belt, it encircled the Earth for weeks, all the while capable of delivering a lethal dose of radiation in half a minute.1 Luckily, no astronauts were in space at that time, but three satellites went dead. This nuclear event in near-Earth space generated years of research aimed at developing magnetic shields to protect spacecraft from charged particle radiation.2